Ninth Bloom title for town team

Morpeth is still the best in Bloom after claiming its ninth successive title.

The town came away with nine Gold medals at the Northumbria In Bloom prize-giving ceremony on Tuesday, retaining its Best Town crown.

Sanderson Arcade was named joint winner in the Shopping Precinct/Arcade/Business Improvement District category.

And there was a special Outstanding Contribution award for Morpeth Town Council Clerk Gillian Turner, who co-ordinates the annual entry.

Ponteland also fared well, with an overall Gold award in the Small Town section, and three other categories, while Herald gardening expert Tom Pattinson received an Outstanding Contribution honour.

In July, it was announced that Abbeyfields First School in Morpeth had won the Land of the Prince Bishop’s trophy for best overall achievement in the Growing Together school competition.

The awards were presented at Newcastle Racecourse, and the Morpeth team, which is led by Morpeth Town Council, Northumberland County Council, the Morpeth and District Chamber of Trade and Heighley Gate Nursery and Garden Centre, was delighted to secure another victory.

Ms Turner said: “It’s always nerve-racking because we know the other towns are gaining impetus every year and are snapping at our heels.

“We’ve won the Best Town title for nine years now so fingers crossed for next year to make it 10 in a row.

“It was a complete surprise to get the Outstanding Contribution award, but it was lovely. I do enjoy the work. We keep saying we can’t think of any new projects for the competition and then things just pop up. It is really interesting and it’s lovely working with the schools in particular. The children’s imaginations aren’t fettered by what adults say, they just see wonderful colours and go for it.”